Folding table.



C. KJBLSOE.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2a. 1911.

1,067,228. Patented July 8,1913.

23 8 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Q d 2 9 11' /2 I www smnlllllllllll mais?" |||||||||||l|||||||| ....lll! im; l "Z ijf/"1',- nwmum""muuu" j@ 2 /Ilmnmmu ,I 7 f IIIIM' l f f l M5666/ Iman/Zw @0% @mak g @www4/@$56,

@Z//emg @VM ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo c CHRISTIAN KJELsr., or EvANsroN, ILLINors.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented July 8, 1913.

Application fued August 23, i911. seriai No. 645,607.

To all t0/om t may concern:

Be it known that I, GrunsTIAN KJnLsn, a subject of the King of Norway, but having declared my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have invented a new and useful YImprovement in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

Tt is the object of the present invention to provide a folding table suitable for supporting a tea tray or the like, the table being so constructed as to admit of ready folding into small compass; to provide a folding table with four legs, all of which are spaced an equal distance from the central axis of the table, and all of which are symmetrically disposed about that axis; to provide a table which, when unfolded for use, presents as its top, two supporting members which intersect at their middles and which stand at right angles to one another; to provide a hinge structure so arranged that the folding in of one of the legs of the table automatically effects a folding in of the opposite leg.

A specific embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table in its unfolded state and Fig. 2 is a plan of the hinge at the central aXis of the table.

In the construction shown, the table comprises a standard made up of a top support 1, side legs 2 and 3, and a cross bar 4. The other legs 5 and 6 of the table are provided respectively with the top members or supports 7 and 8, each of which is hinged to the center of top support 1, in the manner hereinafter set forth. These legs 5 and 6 are provided near their lower ends with eXtensions 9 and 10, which are hinged to cross bar 4 by means of pivots 11 and 12 passing through the ends of a rigidly mounted metal plate 13, which passes transversely through .cross bar 4 at its center. This manner of mounting the legs 5 and 6 on the cross bar 4 permits folding in either direction about an axis which lies somewhat at the side of the main or central axis of the table. The hinge at the intersection of the top supports is shown in detail in Fig. 2, and comprises a metal plate 14 of irregular shape lying in a transverse slot of the top support 1 and projecting at either side thereof for engagement with the other top members. This metal plate 14 may be of brass, steel or other suitable metal and may be cast or punched to shape without the necessity for any considerable amount of machine work. The projecting portions of the plate are heart shaped and each is provided with the annular slot 15 described about the center or axis of the plate. A longitudinal slot 1G is provided at the apex or extreme outer end of the casting on each side thereof to form a guide way for a pin or pivot 17 carried vertically in the adjacent hinged member or support. A second plate 18 passes transversely through the top support 1 and is rigidly held therein by a central pin 19. This pin also serves as a pivot about which the metal plate 14 fhay turn. Near the outer ends of the transverse plate 1S are holes carrying pins 2O and 21, which pass through the rounded ends of the top members 7 and 8 and serve as pivots therefor. These top members 7 and 8 may be reinforced at their ends by facings 22 and 23 of sheet metal.

lVh'en the table is unfolded for use, it assumes the position shown in Fig. 1, with its two folding legs lying in a straight line which passes through the middle of the top support 1, and is at right angles therewith; furthermore, the legs 5 and 6 are symmetri- `cal with the other legs in that all the legs are equidistant from the central axis of the table. With the table in this condition, a tea tray, basket, platter or the like can be placed on the supports and there held securely. Vhen the table is to be folded up it is only necessary for the operator to swing one of the top supports 7 or 8 around in either direction against the top support 1. The other top support will be actuated automatically and also will move inward to complete the folding of the table. It will be seen that when one of the lhinged supports is pushed around as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, its pin 17 will act as a driving agent to turn the casting 14 about its central pivot 19, the pivot pin 21 being meantime held stationary by the transverse plate 18. lVhen the folding operation is complete, the pin 17 lies at the base of the longitudinal slot 16, as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 2.

Although l have shown in the drawing a folding table well suited for supporting a tea tray, it will be understood that the table may be of any size and may be used for other purposes. The novel hinge structure is of value wherever two members intersect and are to be folded according to the general plan herein disclosed, whether these members be the top supports of a-table or something quite different.

What I claim'as ne7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. In a table structure, a top support having a transverse slot, a stationary plate extending through said slot and pinned to said top support, a pair of top members arranged on either side of said top support in alinement with. each other and with said plate, said top members being free to move in either direction, each of said top members carrying a pin for pivotal connection with the respective ends of said stationary plate, and a movable plate pivotally mounted to turn in Contact with said stationary plate ,and having its ends projecting through said top support, said ends being heart-shaped, said movable plate having slots arranged annularly about its center and also having longitudinal slots near its ends, and a pin on each movable member passed through one of said annular slots and a second pin slidingly engaging With Va longitudinal slot to produce movement of said movable plate and consequent movementof the'other movable member,

2. In a table structure, a top support having a transverse slot, a stationary plate eX- tending through said slot and pinned to said top support, a pair of top members arranged at either end of said top support in alinement With each other and With said plate, said top `members being free to swing in either direction, each of said top members carrying a pin for pivotal connection with an end of said stationaryplate, aflat movable plate positioned in contact With said stationary plate, said stationary plate carrying pins to serve as pivots for the top members and said movable plate having longitudinal slots for engagement with the pins on said top members and also having openings to admit the stationary pins of said stationary plate, and a pivotal mounting for said movable plate to permit rotation thereof When eitherv of the top members is moved in either direction.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day of August, A. D.

CHRISTIAN KJELSE. Witnesses:

I. V. CURRAN, PETER MATHISEN.

opies of this patent may be obtained forve cents each, by addressing the` Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. I 

